Positioning device



Sept. 1961 R. v. ROGERS 2,999,392

POSITIONING DEVICE Filed Oct. 29. 1957 INVENTOR. RUSSELL 1 ROGERSATTORNEY 2,999,392 POSITIONING DEVICE Russell V. Rogers, San lose,Calif, assignor to international Business Machines Corporation, NewYork, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 29, 1957, Ser. No.693,129 6 Claims. (Q1. 74-55) The present invention pertains generallyto positioning devices and relates more particularly to such deviceswherein incremental displacements are added for determining totaldisplacement.

According to the invention, a plurality of camming devices are arrangedfor cyclically displacing corresponding followers and means are providedfor interconnecting the followers during selected time intervals fordetermining total displacement according to the selected time intervals.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved positioning device.

Another object is to provide a positioning device wherein displacementis determined according to the interconnection of cyclically displacedmembers.

A further object is to provide a positioning device wherein displacementis determined according to the selection of time intervals during whicha plurality of cyclically displaced members are interconnected.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the followingdescription and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawingswhich disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention andthe best mode which has been contemplated of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a graphic representation of the cams shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the embodiment of the invention there shown forlaterally displacing a member 9 over selected distances comprises threecams 10, 11 and 12, which are secured to corresponding shafts 13, 14 and15. These shafts are journalled in suitable bearings and are driven bymeans (not shown) for rotating the cams at the desired angular velocity.Associated with cams 10, 11 and 12 are corresponding followers 16, 17and 18, respectively, journalled on shafts 19, 2t) and 21, respectively,which are afiixed to and are sup ported by corresponding yokes 22, 23and 24. The yokes 22, 23 and 24 are supported in any convenient mannerto permit linear displacement thereof in the directions indicated byarrows 25 under control of the various earns 10, 11 and 12.

Associated with each yoke is a tape and coupling arrangement, therebeing three tapes 26, 27 and 28 and three couplings 29, 30 and 31. Thesecouplings are afiixed to the corersponding yokes, the coupling 29 beingsecured to the yoke 22 and the coupling 3%]? being secured to the yoke23, etc. The tape 26 is arranged for releasable engagement by thecoupling 29 at selected time intervals, as will be described. Similarly,tapes 2'7 and 28 are arranged for engagement by couplings 3i and 31,respectively, the tape 27being secured to the yoke 22 and the tape 28being secured to the yoke 23.

The tapes 26, 2'7 and 28 are arranged normally to slide over the opposedsurface of the corresponding couplings; however, when energized, thecouplings cause the tapes to adhere firmly thereto. The couplings may beof any convenient design, as, for example, magnetic, electrostatic ormechanical. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the coupilngsare magnetic and that 2,999,392 Patented Sept. 12, 1961 the tapes areconstructed of magnetic material. The means of coupling the tapes 26, 27and 28 to their respective opposed surfaces in proper time sequence isshown as including some kind of power supply or generator "39 whichselectively energizes the coils 4t 41 and 42. The coil or coils whichare energized are determined by the switches associated wtih the keysidentified by the numerals 1, 2 and 4 within the circles. These numberscorrespond to the units of movement imparted to the output tape 26 bythe depression of these keys. Thus, when the couplings are energized,the corresponding tapes are held thereto for movement therewith undercontrol of the cams 10, 11 and 12. Before proceeding with thedescription of the operation of the invention, it should be noted thateach of the followers 16, 17 and 18 is resiliently held against itsassociated cam 10, 11 and 12 by means of a corresponding spring 32, 33and 34, each spring being arranged to extend between a fixed base member(not shown) and the corresponding coupling for returning the mechanismto its initial position, as shown in the drawing, upon completion of thedisplacement operation.

The cams 10, 11 and 12 have profiles arranged to effect displacementsasindicated in FIG. 2. Thus, when the high dwell on cam 10 engages thefollower 16, the follower is displaced an amount equal to the height ofthe high dwell which, in the present embodiment, is equal to one unit ofdisplacement. The high dwells on the cams 11 and 12 are similarlyarranged to displace the various members cooperating therewith by twoand four units, respectively.

The structure described hereinabove is provided for displacing themember 9 according to the displacement elfected by one or more of thecams 10, 11 and 12. For this reason, means are provided for selectivelyenergizing the couplings during time intervals determined by the desiredtotal displacement. and their relationship to the cam profiles areindicated in FIG. 2 as 1 through t To effect a displacement of themember 9 equal to a selected number of units, the various couplings 29,3G and 31 are energized and deenergized according to the chart shownbelow:

' during the proper portions of a time cycle any desired number ofdisplacement units can be obtained. For instance, to obtain one unit ofdisplacement key 1 is depressed during the entire time cycle. This meansthe tape 26 is coupled so as to follow the movement of the follower 16during the entire time cycle to achieve one unit of displacement. Toachieve three units of displacement, key 1 is pressed to close itsassociated switch during the entire time cycle (t -t and from t to key 2is depressed to close its associated switch. This provides the Thevarious times involved proper time relationship of energization of coils40 and 41 to move tape 26 and the member 9 three units during the timecycle.

Referring to the chart, it will be seen that to displace the member 9 byone unit the coupling 29 is energized from through i time and thecouplings 3t and 31 are not energized. Thus, the tape 26 is engaged bythe coupling 29 while the follower 16 is on the low dwell of cam 19, andas cam is rotated to position the high dwell thereof beneath thefollower 16, the tape 2-6 is displaced by one unit. The tape 26 remainsin this position until returned to the initial position under camcontrol, and at i time the coupling 29 is deenergized, thereby releasingthe tape.

When it is desired to obtain two units of displacement of the member 9,the couplings 29 and 3d are energized from 1 through t time, thecoupling 31 being deenergized. Thus, the coupling 29 is not energizeduntil after the cam 1% has displaced the follower 16 relative to thetape 2-6 and the coupling 30 is energized while the follower 17 is stillon the low dwell of cam 11. Under these conditions it will be understoodthat the tape 26 is displaced by two units under control of cam 11,since no displacement is effected by either of the cams 1t) and 12.

Three units of displacement of the member are obtained by adding thedisplacements provided by both of the cams ill and 11. This isaccomplished by energizing the coupling 29 from t through t time and byenergizing the coupling 30 from t through i time. Since the coupling 29is energized at t; time, the tape 25 is displaced by one unit undercontrol of the cam i Additionally, since the coupling 30 is energized at1 time, the tape 26 is displaced by two more units under control of cam11. The coupling 31 is not energized under these conditions and thetotal displacement of tape 26, therefore, is equal to three units. In asimilar manner, tour, five, six or seven units of displacement areobtained according to the chart shown above. It should be understoodthat by the provision of additional displacement devices including cams,followers, couplings, etc., according to the teaching given herein, themember 9 may be displaced by any selected number of units for use as maybe desired. It will be noted that the various displacements provided bythe cams 10, 11 and 12 are cyclically available for effecting thedesired displacement in the member 9 according to the energization ofthe couplings 29, 3t and 31, with the member 9 being returned to itsinitial position under cam control at all times.

Any convenient means may be employed for supporting the followers 16, 17and 18 for movement in the direction of the arrow 25. The specific meansillustrated here includes a means 43 mounted to the followers, whichmeans engages a bar 44. Similar structure is provided in associationwith followers 17 and 18 also.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferredembodiment, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the deviceillustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the artWithout departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention,therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for selectively displacing a member comprising firstcoupling means engaging said member when said first coupling means isoperated, first displacing means displacing said first coupling meansduring a first time interval, second coupling means engaging said firstcoupling means when said second coupling means is operated, seconddisplacing means for displacing said first and second coupling meanswhen said second coupling means is operated during a portion of saidfirst time interval and means for operating said first and secondcoupling means at selected times whereby said member is displaced withsaid coupling means according to said selective times.

2. A mechanism for selectively displacing a member comprising firstengaging means for selectively engaging said member in response to afirst signal, first displacing means for displacing said first engagingmeans a first predetermined distance, second engaging means for engagingsaid first engaging means in response to a second signal, seconddisplacing means for displacing said first and second engaging means asecond predetermined distance and means for controlling said first andsecond engaging means according to said first and second signals duringselected time intervals for effecting displacement of said member by anamount equal to one or both of said predetermined distances according tosaid selected time intervals.

3. A mechanism for displacing a member selected distances comprisingfirst engaging means for engaging said member for displacement therewithprior to a first time interval and in response to a first signal, saidfirst engaging means being additionally arranged to engage said memberfor dispalcement therewith after said first time interval and inresponse to said first signal, first displacing means for displacingsaid first engaging means a first predetermined distance during saidfirst time interval, second engaging means for engaging said firstengaging means for displacement therewith prior to a second timeinterval and in response to a second signal and a second displacingmeans for displacing said first and second engaging means a secondpredetermined distance during a second time interval following saidfirst time interval whereby said member is displaced with said engagingmeans a distance equal to said first predtermined distance, said secondpredetermined distance or the sum of said first and second predetermineddistances according to the timing of said first and second signals.

4. A displacement mechanism comprising a member to be displaced, firstengaging means for engaging said member for displacement therewithduring first predetermined time intervals, said first engaging meansbeing responsive to first signals for engaging said member prior to saidfirst time intervals and for engaging said member after said first timeintervals, first displacing means for cyclically displacing said firstengaging means a first distance during successive first time intervals,second engaging means for engaging said first engaging means fordisplacement therewith during second predetermined time intervals, saidsecond engaging means being responsive to second signals for engagingsaid first engaging means after said first time intervals and for saidsecond time intervals, second displacing means for cyclically displacingsaid first and second engaging means a second distance during secondpredetermined time intervals following said first time intervalawherebydisplacement of said member by said engaging means is determinedaccording to the timing of said first and second signals.

5. A device for displacing a member, comprising a plurality ofdisplacing means having different time-displacement characteristics, aplurality of coupling means each having two selectively engageablemovable elements and an element for selectively engaging the two movableelements for movement as a single assembly, the movable elements of saidcoupling means connecting said member to be positioned to saiddisplacing means in seriatim, and means for enabling said couplingengaging elements selectively and at successive times to displace saidmember by an amount equal to the displacement of one or a plurality ofsaid displacing means.

6. A device for displacing a member, comprising a plurality ofdisplacing means each having a cam element and a follower element, saidcam elements having different time-displacement characteristics, aplurality of coupling means each having two selectively engageablemovable elements and an element for selectively engaging said twomovable elementstogcther for movement as a single assembly, the movableelements of said coupling means connecting said member to be positionedto said follower 5 6 elements in seriatim for movement as a singleassembly References Cited in the file of this patent whensaid engagingelements are enabled, and means for UNITED STATES PATENTS enabling saidcoupling engaging elements selectively and at successive times todisplace said member by an amount 1343548 Smlth June 15, 1920 equal tothe displacement of one or a plurality of said 5 137L408 Dyson 22, 1921displacing means. FOREIGN PATENTS 758,970 Germany Feb. 16, 1953

